First let me say, there is nothing on this road, Hwy 385. Marathon is the last town. (Fuel up, if needed and Snack Up, if needed!) It’s 70 miles from Marathon to Panther Junction (Big Bend’s Ranger/Visitor Center) and the park entrance (with restroom facilities – AND THAT’S ALL) is half-way between Marathon and Panther Junction. You see the yellow stretch on the map – that’s the park entrance with the camp host that collects fees…. So be sure and carry in what you think you’re going to need!
Side Note: If you are 62+ years old and are planning on visiting National Parks – get the Senior Pass ($80 for life). This national park was $15/each person and we were free because of the pass. Not a bad deal (our National Park Pass has $24 to go before it’s paid for itself, for life! And it’s good for all NATIONAL PARKS across the USA!) This whole Park Pass thing is a bit confusing, I know… so, we just whip out all our passes and discount clubs to see which if one works! LOL
Before we get to Big Bend here are a few things we learned.
First, most of the campsites are first come-first served. The smaller you are the better off you are. Tent campers have it made here, depending on the altitude you’re comfortable with.
Reserved sites only exists at Rio Grande Village (to my knowledge) and they are limited. According to the Rangers your best bet at finding a spot is between 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. $14/night.
We decided, after arriving at the Ranger’s station/Welcome Center to take their advice and go back to Stillwell Ranch RV and Store Campground, as everything in Big Bend was full for an RV our size (30′). Stillwell Ranch is located 30ish miles from Panther Junction but only a stones throw from the park’s entrance (but you’re still 30ish miles from the actual Welcome Center at Panther’s Junction).
And not to mention, it’s the only place within a 70 mile distance to camp, if the Big Bend National Park is full. The folks at Stillwell Ranch saw a need and fulfilled it nicely with spacious areas to camp in.
We reserved a spot for 1 night ($22) so we could further scope out the situation tomorrow. I have to give it to the owners of Stillwell Ranch. They could charge much more per night and people would pay. Especially people coming in from our direction – because there is nowhere else out here to park an RV!
Their wifi signal was significant enough to stream a movie or YT and the password is posted on a white board just as you enter the “office” area on the porch. Just look for it – they don’t really offer it up. But, I’m not complaining! It was awesome to have WiFi!
$22/night got us decent Wifi, a great view, water, electric and a dump station around the corner (when needed). And GREAT access to Big Bend National Park! We paid the $22/night gladly!!!!! And did a lot of other people who got turned away at Panther’s Junction and didn’t want to make the drive in at 8 a.m. just to find out all sites were taken for RV’s. It just made sense for us. It was easy, cheap enough, and we were happy.
We got settled in and we’ll check out Big Bend tomorrow.